Shardiya Navratri 2026: Quick Answer
Shardiya Navratri 2026 begins on Sunday, 11 October 2026 and ends with Vijayadashami (Dussehra) on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Ghatasthapana (Kalash Sthapana) will be performed on 11 October. In New Delhi the morning Ghatasthapana muhurat is 6:19 AM to 10:12 AM, and the Abhijit muhurat is 11:44 AM to 12:31 PM. Durga Ashtami falls on Monday, 19 October and the Navami tithi runs from 10:51 AM on 19 October to 12:50 PM on 20 October.
| Event | Date (2026) | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Mahalaya / Sarva Pitru Amavasya | 10 October | Saturday |
| Navratri begins, Ghatasthapana | 11 October | Sunday |
| Durga Ashtami (Maha Ashtami) | 19 October | Monday |
| Maha Navami | 19–20 October | Monday–Tuesday |
| Vijayadashami / Dussehra, Navratri Parana | 20 October | Tuesday |
All timings are for New Delhi (IST), calculated from the drik siddhanta used by leading panchangs. For your city, check the [daily panchang](/panchang).
What Is Shardiya Navratri?
Navratri literally means "nine nights". Four Navratris fall in a Hindu year — Chaitra, Ashadha (Gupt), Ashwin (Shardiya) and Magha (Gupt). Of these, Shardiya Navratri, celebrated in the lunar month of Ashwin during the autumn season (sharad ritu), is the most widely observed. It begins on Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the day after Mahalaya Amavasya, and continues until Navami. The tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami.
During these nine days devotees worship the nine forms of Goddess Durga, known as Navdurga: Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri and Siddhidatri. The Markandeya Purana's Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati) describes how the Goddess destroyed Mahishasura and other demons, and Navratri commemorates this victory of dharma over adharma.
Why Navratri Starts Late in 2026
Many people noticed that in 2025 Navratri started in late September, while in 2026 it starts in mid-October. The reason is Adhik Maas. In 2026 an extra lunar month (Adhik Jyeshtha) was added between May and June to keep the lunar calendar aligned with the solar year. This pushed all subsequent festivals — including Navratri, Dussehra, Karva Chauth and Diwali — about 18–20 days later than in 2025.
Shardiya Navratri 2026 Pratipada Tithi
- •Pratipada begins: 9:19 PM, Saturday 10 October 2026
- •Pratipada ends: 9:30 PM, Sunday 11 October 2026
Since Pratipada prevails at sunrise on 11 October, Navratri begins and Ghatasthapana takes place on Sunday, 11 October.
Ghatasthapana Muhurat 2026 (City-wise)
| City | Morning muhurat | Abhijit muhurat |
|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | 6:19 AM – 10:12 AM | 11:44 AM – 12:31 PM |
| Jaipur | 6:24 AM – 10:17 AM | 11:50 AM – 12:37 PM |
| Lucknow | 6:03 AM – 9:56 AM | 11:30 AM – 12:16 PM |
| Mumbai | 6:31 AM – 10:27 AM | 12:01 PM – 12:49 PM |
| Pune | 6:27 AM – 10:23 AM | — |
| Kolkata | 5:31 AM – 9:26 AM | 11:00 AM – 11:47 AM |
| Bengaluru | 6:09 AM – 10:07 AM | 11:42 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Chennai | 5:59 AM – 9:57 AM | 11:32 AM – 12:19 PM |
Important note for 2026: On 11 October, Chitra nakshatra and Vaidhriti yoga prevail throughout the day. Classical texts such as the Nirnaya Sindhu advise avoiding these for Ghatasthapana where possible, but they are not an absolute prohibition. When they are present, many acharyas prefer the [Abhijit muhurat](/guides/abhijit-muhurat-kya-hai). If you cannot manage the Abhijit window, the morning muhurat in Pratipada is still valid. Ghatasthapana should never be done at night or during Amavasya.
Navratri 2026 Full Calendar: 9 Days, 9 Goddesses
| Day | Date | Tithi | Goddess | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sun, 11 Oct | Pratipada | Maa Shailputri | Orange |
| Day 2 | Mon, 12 Oct | Dwitiya | Maa Brahmacharini | White |
| Day 3 | Tue, 13 Oct | Tritiya | Maa Chandraghanta | Red |
| Day 4 | Wed, 14 Oct | Chaturthi | Maa Kushmanda | Royal Blue |
| Day 5 | Thu, 15 Oct | Panchami | Maa Skandamata | Yellow |
| Day 6 | Fri, 16 Oct | Shashthi | Maa Katyayani | Green |
| Day 7 | Sat, 17 Oct | Saptami | Maa Kalaratri | Grey |
| Day 8 | Sun, 18 Oct | Saptami (continues) / Ashtami from 8:27 AM | Maa Kalaratri (continued) | Purple |
| Day 9 | Mon, 19 Oct | Ashtami till 10:51 AM, then Navami | Maa Mahagauri, Sandhi Puja | Peacock Green |
| Day 10 | Tue, 20 Oct | Navami till 12:50 PM, then Dashami | Maa Siddhidatri, Vijayadashami | — |
Why are there 10 calendar days this year?
In 2026 the Saptami tithi is present at sunrise on two consecutive days (17 and 18 October). This is called tithi vriddhi (an extended tithi). Because of this, the nine tithis of Navratri spread across ten calendar days. A Navratri with a tithi vriddhi is traditionally considered auspicious, as the period of worship becomes longer.
Durga Ashtami, Maha Navami and Dussehra 2026
- •Ashtami tithi: 8:27 AM on 18 October to 10:51 AM on 19 October. Durga Ashtami is observed on Monday, 19 October, because Ashtami prevails at sunrise.
- •Sandhi Puja: about 10:27 AM to 11:15 AM on 19 October — the 48-minute junction of Ashtami and Navami.
- •Navami tithi: 10:51 AM on 19 October to 12:50 PM on 20 October. In the Durga Puja tradition Maha Navami is marked on 19 October, while many North Indian families who follow the sunrise (udaya) tithi perform Navami kanya pujan and havan on the morning of 20 October before 12:50 PM.
- •Vijayadashami / Dussehra: Tuesday, 20 October. The Vijay muhurat in Delhi is roughly 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM. Read more on our Dussehra page and in the guide on Vijay muhurat.
How to Prepare for Navratri 2026
- 1Clean the home and puja space on 10 October. Mahalaya Amavasya is also the last day of Pitru Paksha, so offer tarpan to ancestors before welcoming the Goddess.
- 2Arrange the samagri: a clay pot, barley (jau) seeds, a copper or brass kalash, mango leaves, a coconut, red chunri, kalava, roli, akshat, ghee and a lamp.
- 3Decide your fast: a full nine-day fast, a fast on the first and last day only (jode ka vrat), or a phalahar fast.
- 4Plan the Akhand Jyot if your family tradition includes it, and keep enough ghee or oil for ten days.
- 5Choose the day for kanya pujan — Ashtami (19 October) or Navami (19/20 October) according to your family custom.
Significance of Shardiya Navratri
Shardiya Navratri marks the transition from monsoon to autumn. Ayurveda considers this seasonal junction (ritu sandhi) a time when the body is more vulnerable, and the light, sattvic food of the Navratri fast supports digestion and immunity. Spiritually, the nine nights are divided into three sets: the first three for Maa Durga (destroying negativity), the next three for Maa Lakshmi (cultivating prosperity and virtues) and the last three for Maa Saraswati (attaining knowledge). Lord Rama is also believed to have worshipped the Goddess before his victory over Ravana, which is why Navratri leads directly into Dussehra.
Across India the festival takes many forms — Garba and Dandiya in Gujarat and Rajasthan, Durga Puja pandals in Bengal, Golu dolls in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Bathukamma in Telangana, and the royal Dasara of Mysuru. In Rajasthan, the Navratri fairs at temples like Karni Mata (Deshnok), Shila Devi (Amer) and Kaila Devi (Karauli) draw lakhs of devotees.
Do's and Don'ts During Navratri
Do:
Avoid:
Summary
Shardiya Navratri 2026 runs from Sunday, 11 October to Tuesday, 20 October. Do Ghatasthapana on 11 October, preferably in the Abhijit muhurat because Chitra nakshatra and Vaidhriti yoga are present. Durga Ashtami is on 19 October, Navami spans 19–20 October, and Dussehra is on 20 October. Use this calendar to plan your fasting, puja and kanya pujan, and check the Apna Panchang daily panchang for timings in your own city.
